Carla Lane dead aged 87

Carla Lane has died aged 87.

The late television writer, who was the mastermind behind the 70s British series 'The Liver Birds', 'Bread' and 'Butterflies', passed away at Stapley Residential and Nursing Home in Liverpool on Tuesday (31.05.16).

Carla's grieving family released a statement to BBC News last night, stating: "With heavy hearts we said goodbye to our darling Carla today. But with smiles on our faces we also take this opportunity to reflect on her incredible achievements all of which make us so unbelievably proud to be part of her family."

Meanwhile, friends and colleagues of Carla - who received an OBE in 1989 and was given a Royal Television Society award for her Outstanding Contribution to British Television in 1995 - have paid their respects to the fallen star and reminisced on her life.

Fellow Liverpudlian and comedian Ken Dodd told the publication: "[Carla was] a lovely, lovely writer. She was a wonderful, a true modern comedienne writer, but as well as that, you know, she left a wonderful legacy of happiness and proving that once again ladies can be just as funny as men."

Whilst, Jean Boht - who played Ma Boswell in Carla's sitcom 'Bread', which followed the struggle of a working class family in the 80s - praised Carla for her eternal youth.

She said: "[Carla was] dynamic, beautiful, she looked 16 all the time always and loved her animals, more than us I think, and you know she loved everybody."

And the director of BBC Studios, Mark Linsey, said: "Carla Lane was a supremely gifted writer of bitter-sweet family comedies, loved by generations.

"Her legacy is extraordinary. Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this time."